Merle Armitage Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-173-BC
Scope and Content
This collection contains typescripts, research, and other materials pertaining to Merle Armitage's works, Stella Dysart of Ambrosia Lake and Pagans Conquistadores, Heroes, and Martyrs. Stella Dysart of Ambrosia Lake is a biography of philanthropist and uranium magnate, Stella Dysart, while Pagans, Conquistadores, Heroes, and Martyrs examines the spiritual conquest of America.
One photograph of Stella Dysart and Louis Lothmann (1956) has been transferred to CSWR Photoarchives.
An addition to this collection, acquired in 1990, contains catalogues and pamphlets by or about Merle Armitage.
One photograph of Stella Dysart and Louis Lothmann (1956) has been transferred to CSWR Photoarchives.
An addition to this collection, acquired in 1990, contains catalogues and pamphlets by or about Merle Armitage.
Dates
- 1893-1975
Creator
- Armitage, Merle, 1893-1975 (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
Merle Armitage was born February 12, 1893 in Mason City, Iowa. He began collecting art at age 12, making payments on drawings, lithographs, and etchings from his weekly allowance. He remained an art collector for most of his life, and was acquainted with artists such as Picasso, Paul Klee, Kandinsky, and Chagall on "informal and private terms."
Armitage began his working career as a civil engineer, and later entered the theatre as a set and costume designer. He was an American impresario in the New York City area until 1921 when he transferred his activities to the Los Angeles area. Among his many accomplishments, Armitage served as director of American publicity for the Diaghilev Ballet Russe (1915), founder and general manager of the Los Angeles Grand Opera Association (1924-1930), manager of the Philharmonic Auditorium (1933-1939), and in the 1930's, he sponsored performances of the Ballet Caravan and the Martha Graham Dance Company. During this time, he began designing his own posters and programs to attract audiences to his performances.
In 1932, Armitage began to write, design, and produce books. In total, he designed, wrote forwards to, and produced more than 150 books pertaining to subjects including Igor Stravinsky, Edward Weston, Martha Graham, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, George Gershwin, Stella Dysart, the U.S. Navy, and Santa Fe. Other published works include essays on art and catalogs for art exhibitions.
Armitage was editorial and art director for Look magazine. He was president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (1950-1951). His awards include the Legion of Merit for service in the Army Air Force; the Cordon Bleu of the Wine and Food Society; and the Industrial Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects. He died of a stroke on March 15, 1975.
Armitage began his working career as a civil engineer, and later entered the theatre as a set and costume designer. He was an American impresario in the New York City area until 1921 when he transferred his activities to the Los Angeles area. Among his many accomplishments, Armitage served as director of American publicity for the Diaghilev Ballet Russe (1915), founder and general manager of the Los Angeles Grand Opera Association (1924-1930), manager of the Philharmonic Auditorium (1933-1939), and in the 1930's, he sponsored performances of the Ballet Caravan and the Martha Graham Dance Company. During this time, he began designing his own posters and programs to attract audiences to his performances.
In 1932, Armitage began to write, design, and produce books. In total, he designed, wrote forwards to, and produced more than 150 books pertaining to subjects including Igor Stravinsky, Edward Weston, Martha Graham, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, George Gershwin, Stella Dysart, the U.S. Navy, and Santa Fe. Other published works include essays on art and catalogs for art exhibitions.
Armitage was editorial and art director for Look magazine. He was president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (1950-1951). His awards include the Legion of Merit for service in the Army Air Force; the Cordon Bleu of the Wine and Food Society; and the Industrial Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects. He died of a stroke on March 15, 1975.
Extent
3 boxes (.65 cu. ft.)
Separated Material
Photograph of Stella Dysart and Louis Lothmann (1956) has been transferred to Pictorial Collectons.
Processing Information
Inquire with reference staff for access to unprocessed addition (June 2018), 1 box, B3-11A. Contains non-New Mexico related material. List of contents in accession folder.
- Ambrosia Lake Region (N.M.)
- America -- Exploration and discovery -- Spanish
- Indians of North America -- Missions
- Missions -- Southwest, New
- Missions, Spanish
- Pagans, Conquistadores, Heroes, and Martyrs: the Spiritual Conquest of America
- Stella Dysart of Ambrosia Lake
- Uranium mines and mining -- New Mexico
Creator
- Armitage, Merle, 1893-1975 (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Merle Armitage Papers,1893-1975
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by CSWR Staff. Reprocessed by D. Brittain
- Date
- ©1999
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//The University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 173 BC::Merle Armitage Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss173bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu